DANFORTH, William H. - I Dare You

 “I Dare You.”   by William H. Danforth

A human being has four dimensions: physical mental, spiritual, and social-emotional. Or to put it in different terms: a body, a mind, a soul, and a heart, respectively. To neglect any of these four dimensions is like driving a car with a flat tire. And the proper way to exercise each of these dimensions is to give dares to yourself to do what you have never done before.

1. I dare you, whoever you are, to share with others the fruits of your daring. Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!

2. Our most valuable possessions are those which can be shared without lessening; those which when shared multiply. Our least valuable possessions are those which when divided diminish.

3. You have one life to live. What are you going to do with it?

4. Magnificent obsession

5. Physical: walk a mile a day, drink 8 glasses of water, exercise muscles, stretch

6. Mental: read interesting books, know specifics, carry a notebook

7. Social: make worthwhile contracts, emulate successful people, thoughtfulness in details, be frank,

8. Be natural and honest with everyone, regardless of status. Pay special attention to five new people this month;

9. Count your powers, not problems: share talents and skills;

10. I am one of the few. I have a leader’s opportunity. I have a shepherd’s responsibility. The rest are dependent upon me.

(Assigned to be read in 2014 while on Adam-ondi-Ahman Mission by General Authority’s wife, Barbara Christensen)

This motivational book reminded me of a goals program, many years ago, in the 80’s perpetually working on the 4 different areas of your life: Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, and Educational, the Relief Society goal program, “In Pursuit of Excellence.” I think it was based on the end of the 2nd chapter of Luke where it reads in verse 52, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

I felt encouraged to fulfill challenging goals, pushing beyond what I think are my limits, ever educating, and continually making my body strong, yet not setting aside my spiritual goals. 

I appreciated the reminder to set myself some goals, yet find I do that daily and weekly as I the reminder than go through my life journey. One of them was to have those books completed and I did.